Railway-car drop door



APT 30, 1929. A. E. SMALL 1,710,716

RAILWAY CAR DROP DOOR Filed Sept. l, 192'? Iig. 4

Fig. 6

Eg. y

fn venar 1-k ur E'. 51114211 Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR E. SMALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNION METAL PRODUCTSCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

RAILWAY- CAR DROP DOOR.

Application led September 1, 1927. Serial` No. 216,965.

The invention relates to a railway dump car having a door forming a partof the `car for retaining the load therein which door is provided withhinges adjacent one of its edgel and is capable of being dropped orswung open so that the load in discharging slides or passes over theupper surface of the door, Any means ot' raising the door to the closedptwition and any means for locking und reinar-ing the door may beemployed with my device.

A door for this purpose must be very strong and durable because:

First, it is a part of the floor of the car and as such must sustain theload as well as the iuijiact blow of the load when the car is iu motion.Second, the car is frequently loaded from chutes or tipples from aheight of telo feet or more, causing the load to be dropped directlyupon the doors. Third, clam shell buckets are frequently used to unloadsuch and it is not uncommon for these buckets to rest upon and drag overthe door. Fourth, when the door suddenly comes to rest after beingdropped, it is not only subjected to a severe shock but it must .eu inthe severe impact thrust of the load which of course follows the door.Fifth, as the load is theoretical] y equally distributed, the door mustbe strong over its entire area aud nfust be capable of transmitting there- ;iuiiir f i ser to the ear body without much deilei and nosubstantial distortion. Any bending et 'the door or drooping of the corswould cause a leak of the lading, especially of such line material assand, chats, ctc. Any beni'ling or warping might i11ter- :tere with thecomplete closing and locking of the door.

its it costs as much to haul a ton of car as it does to haul a ton ofpaving freight, it is imperative that the cur and any part thereof he aslight as possible. Furthermore, the haal weight of the car and freightis de 9:, ruiiued by the strength of certain standard so that thelighter the car the greater amount of freight a given car will beallowed lo carry.

,im object, is to form a metallic door with integral corrugations o1ribs which impart ain amount of strength and rigid- 'u r loads imposedthereon and to so toi-n1 tee middle portions of the corrugations s as toprovide. a certain amount of resiliency to enable the door to deflectand innireturn to its normal position Without appreciable amount ofpermanent distortion.

Another object `is to form and arrange a plurality of eorrugations in ametallic door so as to obtain a desired proportion between strength,rigidity and resiliency.

Another object is to obtain this result with the least amount of rawmaterial and to provide a finished article of the leastpos* sible weightconsistent with strength requirements. 'i

Another object is to obtain the desired strength, rigidity andresiliency by forming a hopper door of a metallic plate with integralcorrugations or ribs which taper in width toward their opposite ends andother preferably alternate corrugations y or ribs which project in theopposite direction therefrom and which increase in width toward theiropposite ends, the middle portions of the first mentioned corrugationsbeing formed to provide a certain amount of resiliency to enable theplate to deflect and return to its normal position Wit-hout appreciablepermanent distortion.

Another' object is to merge the adjacent portions of the oppositelyprojecting corrugations into each other so as to provide, in eti'ect, aplurality of corrugations having a depth equal to the total depth of theoppositely projecting corrugations. i

Another object is to provide such a corrugated metallic doorwhich can beformed by pressing it (when heated, if necessary) between dies whichmore toward each other in one direction onl The advantages otym door areapplicable to any door of a freir,r 1t car, such as drop bottom generalservice cars (used in the drawings). hopper cars, swinginer side doorsor hopper bottom coal cars, etc.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a portion of a railway car with my device applied thereon.i

Figs. Q and 3 are sections on line -2 and line 3-3 respectively of Fig.1.

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections on lined-h4 and line 5-5 rcspectivelyof Fig.1 with the car parts omitted.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are sections similar to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 but show themajor' corruga tions with an arcuate configuration.

To illustrate one adaptation of my device, I have shown a so-called1general service drop bottom gondola ear wherein the major portion ofthe floor consists of drop doors. The door openings are surrounded bythe center construction, side wall and cross` dia phragms 3. In normalor closed position the door completely closes this opening.)T and inYtact is a trifle larger on all sides than the openingT so as to providea lap joint between the door and the car trame members. The doors arehinged to the center construction and are supported adjacent the sidewall by the raisin j; or locking mechanism. Any eon venient stop may beused to limit the down ward movement of the door.

The plate is :tormed with integral corrugationsror ribs 2 (calledembossmentsl and eorrugations or ribs 3 (called depressions) projectingalternately in opposite directions (upwardly and downwardly) from theoriginal plane ot the plate and preferably having.: their sides lmerging into each other so asto pri'ivide. in etleet, a plurality otparallel corrligationsl having a depth equal to the total depth ot theoppositely projectingl cerrugations5 each en'ibossment having;litsmiddle portion divided by a secoi'ldary rib Il to form a plurality otsinuous minor corrugations 20. which are spaced apart distances equal totheir respective widths and the embossment also equal in width to theminor corrugations and is ot' sinuous configuration. The embossments 2,depressions 3 Aand minor corrugations Q() all merge together to i'orm asinuons construction so as to provide a relatively resilient structureadjacent the middle portion ot the door (see Figs. 3 and to allow it todel-lect under load without jjiermanent (flistortion. A plurality of theminor corrugations Q0 merge together adjacent the edges ot the door toform a lesser number ot narrower corru; fations Qt which are spacedapart distances equal to their respe"tive widths and the embossmentsincry e in width proportionatelv to the decrease in, width of thedepressions, thus toi-mingl a contiguration (see Figs. 5 a nd 8)symmetrical in cross section about a line midway between the outermostportions ot these deln'essions so that this line is the neutral axis otthe section. Such a section Yis relatively rigid as compared with thesection of the sinuous configuration described above. rllhe ends ot thedejn'essions merge into the plane oit the plate by means ot terminalportions El) ot any de sircd formation.

By such au arrangement a corrugated 1netallie door 'i provided which isrelatively rigid adjacent the end portions of the depressions andembossments and relatively resilient adjacent the middle portions ot thedepressions and embossments.

I have used the terms embossmentsl and depressions in the specificationand claims to avoid confusion and differentiate between the corrugationsprojecting one way trom the original plane 9 oi the plate and thoseprojecting in the opposite direction thereto, butotherwise I contemplateno diti'erenee in the meaning ot the terms.

In the construction illustrated the en1boss ments 2 have a constantwidth and depth ior a space 6 equi-distant on each side ot the middle,ot the plate and then increase in width (and preferably decrease indepth) until they merge into the original plane of the plate.

The depressions 3 are positioned alternately between the embossments iland preterably have a constant width and depth :lor a space t3equrdistant on each side ot the middle otl the plate and then preferablymaintain a constant depth but increase in width toward their oppositeends proportionately to the increase in width ot the embossments so thatthe adjacent sides i-5 ot the embossments and deprt :lions are parnallel, and in the preferred form, these sides meroe into each other :torsubstantially the entire length ot the cmbossments.

rlhe depressions il have integral ribs Il l'ormed in them which projectin opjiiosite directions theretrom and are preferably equal in depththereto adjacent the middle ot the. depressions and preferablyequi-dis-v tant on each side ot their medial line. These ribs preferablyterminate within the depresw sion. The crabe-serments and depressionsare equal in width adjacent their ends.

Figs. l, l and show the depressions with flat apices 23 and the portions(il) ot the plates between the depressions also being tlat; Fi t3. "r"and 8 are similar to Figs. 3, 4; and o, respectively. and show the(leprosy sions with arcuate apices and the por tions ot the plate (2S)between the depressions also being arcuate.

r[he embosi-iments and depressions may be ot equal depth. or one groupmay be deeper than the other group to suiteonditions. lu

1 tue rorm illustrated the embmssmenls are shallowcr than thedepressions.

Il v thus forming; a .metallic plate I provide a plurality otcorrugations or beams which cooperate to :torni a very rigid structureadjacent the sides ot the plate capable ot absorbing;` considerablestress without much deliection and which also ltorm a rc silientstructure adjacent the middle ot the` corru dions so that when the platedcllects under extreme load it rebounds or returns to its normalposition without appreciable permanent distortion.

This is a cmitimiation in part of my applieation Serial No. 151.9410,tiled August 2T, 1926. wherein I have ,lisclosed and claimed broadly theparticular formation of a metallic plate and specifically the use elsuch a structure as a wall tor a railway car, and in my co-perulingapplication Serial No. 216: 9@ tiled September l, 102i", (also acontinu* lll() Cil ation in part ot' my application Serial No. 131,940,tiled Auguat 27, 1926,) I have spe-- citically discloeed and claimed theuse of .euch a structure ae a eide door for a railway car.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the jn'eferred forni of theinvention, though it is: to he understood that the invention is notlimited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as itobvious that various modifications thereof n'ithinlhe Scope of thecla'unel will occur to perenne skilled in the art'.

I claim:

l. In a railway car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and :supported at the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate provided with a pliu'ality of emboesinentelincreag in 'width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edgeey of the door and a plurality of de pressionedecreasing in width tmvard their ende and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edgea of the door, said embossinente and depressionsprojecting in the opposite directions from the plane of the plate.

2. In a railway car having a door opening. a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and aupjnn'ted at the opposite edge thereof. said doorcomprising a metallic plate provided with a plurality of embossmentsincreasing in width toward their ends and terminatingr in the plateadjacent op osite edges of the door and a plurality of diipreesionsdecreasing in width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges ot' the door, `Said embossments and depressionsprojecting in the opposite directions from the plane of the plate, themiddle portion of the depressione being divided to formrihs.

il. In a railway car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and `upper-lied at. the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate provided with a plurality of emhoesmentsinereaeing in width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door and a plurality of depressionedecreae ing in width towari'l their ende and termihating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door, leaid embosamente and depresnioneprojecting in the opposite directions from the plane of the plateq themiddle portion of the depressions; being divided to form ribs, iartideniboesments `and depresalone1 being the saine width adjacent oppositeedgee of the door.

Je. In a railway car having a door opening. a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and Supported at the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate provided with a plurality of embossmentsincreasing in Width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door and a plurality of depressionsdecreas ing in Width toward their-ende and termihating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door, said embosslnents and deprcssionsprojecting inthe opposite directions from the plane of the plate, themiddle portion of the depressions being divided to form ribs, saideinbosaments, ribs and divided portions of the depressions all being theSame Width adjacent their medial line.

5. In a railway car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and supported at the opposite' edge thereof, said doorcomprising a met-allie plate provided with a plurality of embossmentsincreasing in Width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door and a plurality of depressionsdecreasing in Width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door, `Said embossments` and depressioneprojecting` in the opposite directions from the plane of the plate, themiddle portion of the depressions being divided to form ribs, saidembosementa. ribs and divided portionsl of the depressions all being thesame Width and of constant Width equi distant on o posite sides of themedial line.

G. In a rai Way car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and Supported at the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate provided with a plurality of elnbosementsincreasing in Width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edge` of the door and a plurality of depressionepositioned alternately therebetween decreasing in Width toward theirends and terminating in the plate adjacent opposite edges of the door,said embosement-s and depressions projecting in the opposite directionsfrom the plane of the plate, the middle port-ion of the depressionebeing divided to forni rihe, with the sides of the emhoesmenta merginginto the sidee` ot' the depressions.

7. In a railway car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and supported at the opposite edge thereof-` said doorcomprieing a .metallic plate provided with a plurality of emboasmentsincreasing in Width toward their ende and tcrn'iinating in the plateadjacent opposite edges of the door and a plurality of depressions poshiioned alternately therebetween decreasing in width toward their endeand terminating in the plate adjacent opposite edefee` of the, door,Said emboeemente and depressions projecting in the oppositedirectionsfrom the plane of the plate, the middle portions of the depressionsbeing dividedto form ribs, with the sides of the embossrnents merginginto theeides of the depressions for subetantially the entire length ofthese ele ments.

8. In a railway car having a door openlll) ing, a door hinged adjacentone edge there* of and supported at the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate provided with a plurality of embeesmentsincrezising in width and decreaeing in depth toward their ends andtern'iinating in the plate adjacent opposite edges et' the door and aplurality et depressione decreasing in width toward their ends andterminating in the plate adjacent opposite edges et the door, saidemhossments and depressions projecting in the opposite directions trenithe plane et the plate, the middle portion et' the depressions beingdivided te torni ribs.

9. In a railway car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and supported at the opposite edge thereo'l', said doorcomprising a metallic plate pro vided with a plurality et emhossmentsincreasing in width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges oit' the door and a plurality et depressione etconstant depth the major portieri et their length and decreasing inwidth toward their ends and terminating in the plate adjacent oppositeedges et the door, said emheesniente and depressions projecting in theoppoaite directions from 'the plane et' the plate, the middle portion etthe depressions heing divided to t'orm ribs.

l0. In a railway car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereol'I and supported at the opposite edge thereof, eaid doorconiprieing a metallic plate provided with a plurality et' ernhoseinenteincreasing in width toward their ends and terminating in the plateadjacent opposite edges et the door and a plurality et depressionsposition ed alternately therebetween of constant depth the major portionet their length and. decreasing in width toward their ends and ter--minating in the plate adjacent opposite edges oit the door, saideinhossments and depressions projecting inthe opposite directions fromthe plane et the plate, the middle portion el the depressione being'divided to Yterm ribs.

ll. In a railway ear havingl a door open ing, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereot and supported at the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate 'provided with a plurality ot einhossmentsincreasing' in width toward their ends and terminating` in the plateadjacent opposite edges ot the door and a plurality of fileprensionspositioned alternately thereh-:tween of constant depth the majorport-ion ol' their length and decreasing in width toward, their endsVand terminating in the plate adjacent opposite edges of the door, saidemhessrnents and depressions projecting in the opposite direc,- tionsfrom the plane 4ofi the plate, the middle portion et the depressionsbeing divided to iorm ribs, said emhosements, riha and divided portione`et the depressione all heilig the same width adjacent their medial line,said einhossments and deprelfsions heing the same width adjacentoppeeite edges ot the deer with the sides of the emhossments 1nerginginto the sides of the dej'n'eeaiens for sub* atantially the entirelength et these elements.

l2. In a rail Jay car having a door opening, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereol and supported at the opposite edge thereof, said doorcomprising a metallic plate formed with a plurality el:l corrugationsrn'ojeeting in oppoeite directions trom the original plane of the plate,seme et' which have their iniddle portions divided se as te provide arelatively rigid Structure adjacent the opposite edges oi' the door anda relatively resilient structure adjacent the middle et the door.

13. In a railway car having a door opening7 a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereof and Supported at the opposite edge thereof.y said doorcomprising a metallic plate formed with a plurality el corrugationsprojecting in opposite directions 'from the original plane et the plate,some oit which have their middle portions divided eo as to provide arelatively rigid Structure adjacent the opposite edges ol the door whichgrai'lually becomes a relatively resilient Structure adjacent the middleof the door.

let. In a railway car having a door opening, a door liinged adjacent oneedge thereof and supported at the opposite edge thereof. .Said doorcomprising a metallic plate lorn'ied with a plurality of corrugationsprojecting in opposite directions lrom the original plane of the platewhich are relatively shallow adacent their end portions, some o't whichhave their middle portions divided to :l-orm a greater number ofrelatively deep :orrugaA tions adjacent their middle portions so as: toprovide a relatively rigid structure adjacent theeppoeite edges et' thedoor and a relatively resilient structure adjacent the middle of thedoor.

l5. In a railway car having a door open ing, a door hinged adjacent oneedge thereot4 and supported at the opposite edge thereof. said doorcomprising a metallic plate 'termed with a plurality olE corrugationsprojecting in opposite directiona from the original plane of the platewhich are relatively shallow and relatively wide adjacent .their endportionr-i, sonic of which have their middle porti: divided to form agreater niunhcr ot rrlali vi ly deep and relatively narrowcorri'igaliena adjacent their middle portions so as to provide arelatively rigid structure adjacent the` opposite edges et the door anda relativelv reeilicnt structure adjacent the middle olf the door.

ARTHUR E. Slllnlila

